New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the success of the nationwide ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address, praising Bhubaneswar and several other cities for their exemplary rainwater harvesting and groundwater conservation initiatives.
Emphasising that water conservation must become a people’s movement, the Prime Minister urged citizens, communities, and local institutions to work together to safeguard water resources for future generations.
‘Catch the Rain’ Campaign Yielding Results
Speaking about the campaign, PM Modi said it is based on the simple principle:
“Where it rains, when it rains, catch it.”
He noted that the initiative has helped improve groundwater recharge through community participation and sustainable water management practices across both rural and urban India.
According to the Prime Minister, villages, cities, panchayats, and social organisations have actively contributed by restoring traditional water bodies and implementing rainwater harvesting measures.
Bhubaneswar Among Cities Recognised
PM Modi specifically lauded Bhubaneswar for achieving encouraging results under the campaign.
He also highlighted successful implementation in:
- Korba (Chhattisgarh)
- Nandyal (Andhra Pradesh)
- Vizianagaram (Andhra Pradesh)
These cities, he said, have demonstrated how scientific planning and public participation can significantly strengthen groundwater conservation and urban water security.
Calls for Collective Responsibility
Stressing that water security cannot be ensured through government efforts alone, the Prime Minister appealed to citizens to actively participate in protecting local water resources.
He encouraged people to:
- Restore ponds, lakes, and wells.
- Construct check dams and rainwater harvesting structures.
- Recharge borewells.
- Protect local water bodies through community participation.
PM Modi said every individual should take responsibility for conserving at least one nearby water body.
Public Participation Key to Success
Highlighting the campaign’s impact, the Prime Minister said:
“I am extremely happy that be it villages or cities, panchayats or social organisations, people from every place participated. Water bodies like lakes, wells and others are being cleaned and restored.”
Referring to Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal, he noted that every village joined the campaign to revive old ponds and make them usable again.
He added that cities such as Korba, Bhubaneswar, and Vizianagaram have also delivered remarkable outcomes through effective implementation of rainwater harvesting initiatives.
‘Every Drop Saved Is Future’s Treasure’
Concluding his appeal, PM Modi urged citizens to value every drop of water.
“Let’s come together and take responsibility for at least one waterbody like wells, ponds, borewells near us and save every single drop of water. Every water droplet that is saved is the future generation’s treasure.”
The ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign forms part of the Centre’s broader efforts to promote rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, climate resilience, and sustainable water management across the country.
